Sailboat

Abstract

A sailboat having a cross-shaped body to which a pair of pontoons are attached. Additionally, a pontoon-like rudder is attached to the aft portion of the body. A steering mechanism is provided for steering the rudder by application of force, via the operator's feet, to a stirrup. A sail is mounted via front and aft masts. The sail include a handle so that the operator can move the sail left and right by hand.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A boat comprising: a body having an upper surface and a lower surface; and   a steering actuator pivotally mounted at said upper surface of said body by a first pivot shaft, said steering actuator is a stirrup, said stirrup being controlled by the feet of an operator, said first pivot shaft extending through said body to said lower surface, at least one substantially rigid member having a first end and a second end, said first end being connected to said first pivot shaft at said lower surface and said second end being connected to a rudder, said rudder being pivotally mounted to steer said boat.   
     
     
       2. The boat according to claim 1, further comprising a first bellcrank fixedly mounted to said first pivot shaft, said first end of said at least one substantially rigid member being connected to said first bellcrank. 
     
     
       3. The boat according to claim 2, further comprising a second bellcrank fixedly mounted to a second pivot shaft, said second end of said at least one substantially rigid member being connected to said second bellcrank. 
     
     
       4. The boat according to claim 3, comprising two substantially rigid members, each of said first ends of said two substantially rigid members being connected to said first bellcrank and each of said second ends being connected to said second bellcrank. 
     
     
       5. The boat according to claim 4, wherein said two substantially rigid members cross one another substantially midway of their lengths. 
     
     
       6. The boat according to claim 1, wherein said at least one substantially rigid member is a tubular member. 
     
     
       7. The boat according to claim 1, further comprising a seat adjacent said stirrup. 
     
     
       8. The boat according to claim 1, said body including first and second arms extending transversely therefrom, and first and second pontoons being respectively connected to said first and second arms. 
     
     
       9. The boat according to claim 8, wherein said rudder is shaped as a pontoon. 
     
     
       10. The boat according to claim 1, further comprising a sail mounted to said body. 
     
     
       11. The boat according to claim 10, further comprising a forward mast, said sail being integrally molded to said forward mast. 
     
     
       12. The boat according to claim 11, further comprising a handle connected to said sail for grasping by an operator. 
     
     
       13. The boat according to claim 11, said sail including a latch for securing said sail to said body in a position aligned with a center line of said boat. 
     
     
       14. The boat according to claim 11, further comprising an aft mast mounted between said body and an upper end of said forward mast. 
     
     
       15. A boat comprising: a body having an upper surface and a lower surface, said body including first and second arms extending transversely therefrom, and first and second pontoons being respectively connected to said first and second arms; and   a steering actuator pivotally mounted at said upper surface of said body by a first pivot shaft, said first pivot shaft extending through said body to said lower surface, at least one substantially rigid member having a first end and a second end, said first end being connected to said first pivot shaft at said lower surface and said second end being connected to a rudder, said rudder being pivotally mounted to steer said boat, wherein said rudder is shaped as a pontoon.